I think this essay is very informative and convincing: Just say no to drinking sodas and feeding them to yer kids! EEK
WHY I DON'T DRINK SOFT DRINKS (AND WISH YOU DIDN'T)
by William Frazier, M.P.H., N.C.
There has never been motivation until now for me to assemble in one place
all the information I have accumulated through the years on the harmful
effects of soft drinks, especially colas and those containing phosphoric
acid. Here is a partial list. (My prayer is that multitudes will be able to
personally profit from reading this compendium of facts.)
DISEASE FLOURISHES IN AN ACID ph - COLA-TYPE DRINKS ARE ACID
"All kinds of soft drinks are very acidic, especially colas. In order to
neutralize a glass of cola, it takes 32 glasses of high ph alkaline water."
It is well known by the medical profession that disease loves acid. In
fact, a physician from Loma Linda University said in a speech that if we
could get our cells to maintain a normal ph (slightly alkaline), cancer
could not grow in our bodies."
CERTAIN SOFT DRINKS AND CANCER MAY BE RELATED
Francisco Contraries, M.D., of the Contraries Cancer Clinic in Kiajuana,
Mexico said, "Cancer is like a plant cell; it can't live in an oxygen-rich
environment. cola drinks make our bodies poor in oxygen. cancer is the
second cause of death in America. The average American is consuming 800 Or
more soft drinks annually. Be more responsible for your own life; doctors
have no responsibility for another's health."
SOFT DRINKS OFFEND THE KIDNEYS
A three year study of over 1,000 men with a history of kidney stones
showed: "There was a clear-cut difference in the group's experiences, with
much less renal colic in the men who had avoided soft drinks. Of those who
continued to use soft drinks, there was also a big difference in outcome
depending upon the nature of the soft drink consumed. Soft drinks acidified
with phosphoric acid were the worst offenders. Colas of all kinds, of
course, are well known for their high phosphoric acid content."
COLA DRINKS PROVIDE ZERO NUTRIENTS
As pointed out by Beatrice Hunter in her book, CONSUMER BEWARE (published
in 1971), "Nutritionally, soft drinks are low in value. Their food energy
comes solely from refined sugar. Every element of nutritional importance,
except calories, is zero. Soft drinks have much in common with hard liquor,
claimed the co-discoverer of insulin, Dr. Charles Best. Cirrhosis of the
liver has been found among teenagers who drink large quantities of soft
drinks, as well as among chronic alcoholics." Can we live without a
functioning liver? No. And do doctors have a cure for cirrhosis of the
liver? Not really!
CAFFEINE IS ADDICTIVE; COLAS PROVIDE IT
Soft drinks, including the cola and pepper-type drinks that have caffeine
in them, are the number one beverage of Americans today, with coffee
second. Caffeine is a drug and it acts as a stimulant to the central
nervous system. "In the amounts presently being consumed, it can cause
insomnia, nervousness, irritability, anxiety and disturbances in the heart
rate and rhythm. Cola and pepper-type drinks account for 80-90 percent of
the caffeine added to foods today. Its long term effects on people are not
clearly known."
BIRTH DEFECTS AREA POSSIBILITY
Here is advice on caffeine from the FDA. "In making the public announcement
in September of caffeine's possible dangers to unborn children, FDA
commissioner Dr. Jere E. Goyan urged prudence by pregnant women in the use
of caffeine products. Goyan's words to mothers-to-be: "So while further
evidence is being gathered on the possible relationship between caffeine
and birth defects, a prudent and protective mother-to-be will want to put
caffeine on her list of unnecessary substances which she should avoid." The
old saying that a pregnant woman is "eating for two" has a special meaning
in regard to caffeine.
The Commissioner also noted that studies to date support the wisdom passed
down from generation to generation that caffeine is not for pregnant women
or children. "We hope some day to have better scientific assessments,"
Goyan said, "but for now adhering to the guidance of our parents seems to
be the most prudent course."
ANOTHER PROBLEM: CARAMEL COLORING
"Cola drinks contain caramel coloring which, according to some researchers,
has genetic effects and is a cancer-causing suspect. Polyethylene glycol is
used as an ingredient sometimes. Glycol is used in anti-freeze in
automobiles and as an oil solvent." Perhaps you have noticed that pouring
cola drinks on your windshield in a snow or ice storm will keep the
windshield from freezing over with ice.
BUBBLES AND FIZZ - NOT INNOCENT
"The bubbles and fizz in soft drinks can potently burn human insides; this
is caused by the phosphoric acid and carbon dioxide. The phosphorus in the
acid upsets the body's calcium-phosphorus ratio and dissolves calcium out
of the bones. This can eventually result in osteoporosis, a weakening of
the skeletal structure, which can make one susceptible to broken bones.
Also, the phosphorus fights with the hydrochloric acid in human stomachs
and renders it ineffective. This promotes indigestion, bloating and
gassiness in many individuals. Carbon dioxide is a waste product exhaled by
humans, but they ingest it when they drink cola drinks."
SUGAR - SUGAR - SUGAR: A WHITE DECEIVER
Soft drinks use predominately three types of sweeteners - saccharin or
aspartame in the diet type and sugar, cane syrup or corn syrup in the
regular drinks. "These substances enhance taste appeal and come touted as
"refreshing" and "high energy". The truth is that saccharin has been shown
to cause cancer in laboratory animals and Nutra-sweet and Equal are linked
to convulsions, depression, insomnia, irritability, weakness, dizziness,
migraine headaches, mood changes and mental retardation. (Which of these, I
ask, is something you really want in your life?)
ALLERGIES: WITH OR WITHOUT HIVES
Dr. George M. Halpem, Division of Allergy at the University of California
Davis School of Medicine says that diet soft drinks may cause allergies.
"The potential problem may be due to toxicity because of the increase in
consumption of diet drinks. Acute or chronic hives may be symptoms caused
by this low-calorie, artificial sweetener."
MALFORMED FETUSES IN MICE A REALITY
Another study that caught my attention was done in Japan, by Dr. Yoshihide
Hagiwara and published under the title, The Effects of Foods on the Bones
of Mice. The experiments involved sustaining mice with feed containing
calcium and phosphoric acid in varying ratios. When the amount of
phosphoric acid was increased beyond a certain limit, bone malformation
occurred in the mice. Further increase of phosphoric acid in the food of
pregnant mice yielded 40 malformed fetuses out of 100. the meaning of these
results are self-evident. Too much phosphoric acid can cause birth
defects." Does it happen in humans? Why take a chance!
HOW TO DISSOLVE YOUR TEETH
"Nor am I alone in this conclusion," Haglwara said. "A government warning
was once issued to the manufacturer of a certain world-famous refreshing
soft drink for its suspected effect on the bones of children because of the
large amount of phosphoric acid contained in it. Pour cola over an
extracted baby tooth or a 10-penny nail and see it totally dissolve in a
few days!"
Dr. Clive McCay, working at the Naval Research Institute, placed extracted
human teeth in cola drinks. Within two days, the teeth became very soft,
and the enamel surface lost much of its calcium. Rats, well fed but given
nothing to drink except cola beverages, after six months had their molar
teeth dissolved down to the gum line. When Dr. McCay reported years ago the
rat experiments before the Delaney hearing on chemical in foods, a lawmaker
reminded him that the soft drink industry represented huge economic
investments. He suggested that these alarming findings be soft-pedaled to
avoid disrupting the industry and the economy as a whole. Dr. McCay
countered by stating that the health of the nation's children might be as
important as the welfare of the soft-drink industry." How do you feel about
your children's teeth being damaged?
SOFT BONES OR NO BONES!
My file is full of examples of Americans with soft bones (dissolved, I
believe, by their phosphoric acid consumption) any my heart-felt concern
for fetuses is now a reality - many are being born without face bones, with
missing ribs, with fewer than normal carpal bones, and so forth. Do we
really care? Do we care enough to change our lifestyle? I sincerely hope
so.
If changes are not made by millions soon, Dr. James Beasley's prediction
can be upon us. He said, "If Americans do not change their eating and
drinking habits, within twenty years we will have nutritional
obliteration." I see that as a very viable possibility.
KIDNEY VS COLA: A REAL PROBLEM FOR MANY
Dr. Earl Mantel in his book, "Unsafe At Any Meal" says, "For anyone over
forty, soft drinks can be especially hazardous because the kidneys are less
able to excrete excess phosphorous, causing depletion of vital calcium."
Can a person live without kidneys? No. Is it easy and/or cheap to get a
kidney transplant? No!
METABOLISM CAN BE ALTERED: THAT SPELLS TROUBLE
Heavy soft drink consumption can interfere with your body's metabolization
of iron and diminish nerve-impulse transmission. Sodas may contain - but
are not required to disclose - such ingredients as ethyl alcohol, sodium
alginate (possibly hazardous for pregnant women), brominated vegetable oil
(found harmful to vital organs of animals and considered a health risk to
heavy consumers of beverages containing it) and caffeine.
MORE "REAL" SYMPTOMS
Cola drinks can interact adversely with antacids, possible causing
constipation, calcium loss, hypertension, nausea, vomiting, headaches and
kidney damage. Soft drinks can decrease the antibacterial action of
penicillin and ampicillin.
MORE "SUGAR BLUES"
"The average 12 ounce cola has about 150 calories and over an ounce (9
teaspoons) of refined sugar, a 12 ounce up-cola has 71/2 teaspoons of
sugar." Dr. A. Thrash, M.D., found that 24 teaspoons of sugar in on day
destroys 92% of the body's ability to destroy bacteria.
BLOOD PRESSURE ALTERATION: ON THE HIGH SIDE
Diet sodas that are low in calories are high in sodium. Six ounces of
regular Pepsi cola has 5 mg of sodium; Diet Pepsi has 31 mg (But who only
drinks 6 oz at a time now? - classic Coke Cola has 19 mg sodium. High blood
pressure is very common ailment in our society, I wonder why!
And who shouldn't have high sodium in their diets? My personal answer to
that question, is that the condition which causes a person to have high
blood pressure should be considered a condition where limiting sodium
intake would be helpful. Here are a few of those; certain tumors, kidney
disease, adrenal or thyroid or pituitary gland malfunction, even diabetes
and arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Soft drinks should be
off limits to persons with these conditions.
A DECEITFUL ADDICTION: CAFFEINE
Caffeine is a member of the same alkaloid group of chemicals as morphine,
nicotine, cocaine, purine and strychnine. These alkaloids all have one
thing in common: they are addictive. Colas are responsible for giving
millions of Americans addicts their daily "fixes". (Forgive my poignant
language - but think about it).
